25 years ago: Hunter S. Thompson gives talk at KU

During his visit to Kansas University, writer Hunter S. Thompson spoke to about 1,300 people who crammed into the Kansas Union Ballroom to hear him. After arriving about half an hour after his scheduled start time, Thompson paced the stage and ordered the lectern to be taken away, saying that it made him "feel like Billy Graham." He sat at a table and began his talk by saying, "You know, before I start my long speech, whoever is the angriest and the ugliest and the meanest, get right ... over here." During his talk, audience members peppered him with questions and party invitations, and one person tossed him a beer from the balcony.